Stereotype casting mechanism



June 26, 1934. E. .1. SMITH STEREOTYPE CASTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 3, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l IMQU Q I l 1 I l V TOR ATTORNEY June 26, 1934. E. J. SMITH 1,964,368

STEREOTYPE CASTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 3, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV TOR ATTORNEY Patented June 26, 1934 STEREOTYFE CASTING MECHANISM Ernest James Smith, Fleet Street, London, England, assignor to The Goss Printing Press Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 3, 1932, Serial No. 631,621 In'Great Britain September 25, 1931 16 Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful im provements in stereotype plate casting mechanisms, and more especially to improvements in means for controlling and maintaining uniform the temperature of the casting mechanism.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forthin part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to here in and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the pr nciples of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a mechanism for casting curved stereotype plates, the mechanism being shown in the open position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 33 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View of the temperature regulating mechanism and circuit.

The principal objects of the invention are to improve the quality of stereotype plates and for maintaining the temperature of the casting mechanism within a very narrow temperature range over the entire area of the casting chamber; that is, that temperature range most favorable to casting perfect plates is maintained over the entire area of the chamber.

The means for maintaining the temperature constant and uniform preferably include heating and cooling devices arranged for alternative operation to effect the stated result. Controlling means for those devices are also provided which permit the heating of all, or alternatively, certain portions of the casting chamber members whereby the chamber may be preliminarily heated and may thereafter be heated locally in predetermined areas to compensate for normal cooling and thereby maintain uniform the temperature of the casting chamber members. According to certain features of the invention, the heating devices are electrical, and the cooling elements are air-operated or pneumatic, with a localized control for the heating devices permitting the side edges of the casting chamber members to be heated during casting and said members may also be heated throughout, preliminary to casting.

In actual practice, it is found that the edges of the casting chamber, adjacent to the longitudinal straight edges of the plate do not remain at the temperature of the remainder of the casting chamber members, but are cooled more rapidly. This results in a non-uniform temperature throughout the casting chamber, producing uneven and faulty plates which do not print as satisfactorily as the plates produced by the machine of the present invention. The means provided for heating the side edges of the casting chamber members compensate for this excess radiation along these side edges. The optionally operable means provided for heating the remain der of the casting chamber members cooperate with the first heating means to preliminarily heat the casting chamber members, so that the first plate to be cast may be cast in a properly heated chamber.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, the invention is shown applied to a manually-operated mech-' anism for casting curved stereotype printing plates, such as are used upon newspaper and other rotary presses. The general stereotyping mechanism (Fig. 1) comprises a base 1 upon which is fixed a vertically-extending core member 2 of approximate hemi-cylindrical form. Coopcrating therewith in a well-known manner, to constitute a casting chamber, is a drag or cover member 5, movable between the closed chamber casting position and an open position for inserting and withdrawing the matrices and removing the cast plates. In the mechanism shown, the cover is of the balanced type whereby it is moved from one position to another by the application of very little power, and tends to remain in any position to which it may be moved. In the embodied form of supporting and moving means for the cylindrical cover 5, there is fixed thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom, a pair of arms 6, medianly located at either side thereof, and moving with the cover just within the corresponding verticallydisposed side frames 8, which frames are fixed to the base 1. Pivotally connected at 9 to the outer ends of the pair of arms 6 is a corresponding pair of arms 11, fixed on a shaft 12, journalled in and extending across between the two vertical side frames 8. Suitable handles (not shown) are provided for moving the cover 5 to and fro.

Means are provided for drawing the cover, when it is in the vertical position, firmly against the proper bearing surfaces on the core 2, to constitute and maintain the casting chamber, and then to move the cover, with the cast plate, away from casting position and toward the plateremoving position. The form of said means disclosed herein (Fig. 1) is old and well known, and comprises a pair of camming hooks 16, located at either side of the upper part of the core. These hooks are mounted on a transversely-extending shaft 17, just back of the core, said shaft being journalled in brackets 18 fixed to the core structure. These hooks cooperate with pins 19 fixed to and extending outwardly from either side of the upper part of the cover 5. A similar pair of camming hooks 23 may be mounted at either side, and near the bottom, of the core 2, these hooks being fixed on a shaft 24, extending across behind the core and journalled in brackets 25, fixed to the core. These hooks cooperate with pins 26 fixed to and extending outwardly from either side near the bottom of the cover 5. In the embodied form common actuating means for the camming hooks 16 and 23 are provided, comprising an arm 29 fixed to the shaft 24, an arm 30 fixed to the shaft 17, and a connecting link 31, pivoted to both arms. A hand lever 32 is fixed to shaft 17. By actuating the hand lever 32 in one direction, the two sets of camming hooks 16 and 33 will draw the cover 5 firmly on to its bearings against the core preparatory to casting, and by swinging the lever 32 in the opposite direction, the hooks will push the cover 5 away from casting position and towards the open position, in a well known manner.

The form of matrix-holding means may be varied as desired, but as shown is substantially that shown in my prior application, Serial Number 603,674, and comprises a head ring 37, to constitute the bottom of the casting chamber and to form the arcuate beveled head of the plate in the usual manner, and side clamps 38, of standard or other suitable construction, for holding the side edges of the matrix and to constitute the straight side edges of the chamber during casting; and may include other devices as found necessary or desirable. The means for firmly holding the matrix in position throughout its entire area, against the cover member 5, operates pneumatically, and comprises (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) a very large number of suction creating points 42 in the inner or matbearing surface of the cover member 5. These points 42 occur throughout the entire area back of the matrix, and are connected with vacuumcreating means by pipes or passages 41 and 43. Communicating with the arcuate passage 43 are air exhausting pipes 44, which in turn communicate with an exhaust pipe 46 upon the back of the cover 5, so as to move therewith. Connected to the opposite end of the pipe 46 is a hose 47, or other air-tight flexible connection, which in turn communicates with any suitable air-exhausting device, such as a motor-driven airpump. When the pump is running air is drawn from the ducts 41 and a strong vacuum is created at all the openings 42 in the cover member 5, behind all parts of the matrix, which is thereby held firmly, smoothly and imiformly to the inner face of the cover member 5.

The embodied form of means for controlling the operation of the vacuum-creating mechanism is operable both by the attendant and automatically by the movement of the cover member. As embodied (Fig. 1) there is a valve 53 in the pipe connection between the hose 47 and the pump, the valve having an actuating lever 54, pivoted at 55, and impelled to the closed position by a spring 56. Pivotally connected to the other end of the lever 54, is a rod 57, the other end of which is pivotally connected to an arm 58, fixed to a shaft 59, journalled in the frame 8. Fixed to shaft 59 exteriorly of the frame 8 is a pedal 60, whereby the workman may control the application of the vacuum. Means are likewise provided, cooperating with the mechanism already described, for automatically maintaining the vacuum during the casting, and as embodied, a cam 61 is fixed on shaft 12, and is so shaped and positioned that when the cover 5 is swung upwardly and forwardly to the casting position, the cam will depress lever 54, or will hold it depressed, and thus the vacuum is automatically maintained during the casting. In the operation of the device, the workman can position the matrix, substantially in the usual manner, and then by stepping upon the lever 60 the vacuum will be applied throughout the entire extent of the back of the matrix, and the matrix will be drawn firmly and truly into position against cover 5 in all its parts. While still pressing the pedal 60 the workman swings the cover up to casting position, and the cam 61 will maintain the vacuum during the casting operation.

The means of temperature control for the cover (Figs. 1 and 3), as embodied comprise a chamber, or plurality of chambers at the outside or back of the casting members 2 and 5, provided with heating devices and cooling devices, which may be supplied with electrical energy under control of a manually operated switch. In the embodied form, the back of the cover 5 is provided with outwardly-projecting ribs 67, and there is an outer hemicylindrical shell 73, integral with or resting against the outer faces of the ribs 67, constituting with the ribs 67 a series of chambers 75, which are connected by passages, such as 76, 77, used in the air cooling. These chambers serve to hold and conserve the heat generated by heating elements located therewithin. The shell 73 may be of heat-insulating material if desired. Located within these chambers and against the back of the cover 5 are heating elements 70a, 70b, 70c, 7007, 70c, 70 70g, 70h, 702', and 707', preferably electrical heating coils, which are in circuit with the manual control. With the manual control in one position none of the heating elements are supplied with current, in another position all are supplied and in a third position only the heating elements at the side edges of the casting chamber 70a and 707' are energized.

In the embodied form of cooling means, air currents are swept through the chambers 75. In said means, as applied to the cover member 5, air inlets 78 opening into the top chambers 76 are provided. The air enters the inlets 78 from a manifold 79, formed by a casing 80 arranged over the inlets (Figs. 1 and 3). An air supply pipe 83 connects to the manifold 79, and there is preferably provided a baffle plate or air-distributing plate 84 within the manifold. Pipe 83 connects by a flexible hose 87 with an air supply pipe 88. In the pipe 83 is a manually controlled valve 89 for starting and stopping the supply of air to the casing.

The temperature-controlling means for the core 2, as embodied, are similar in construction and operation to those for the cover 5, as already described. As embodied, (Figs. 1 and 4) the cover is internally recessed, and is provided with a longitudinal rib 97 dividing the back into chambers 98, which are provided with a cylindrical closure 103, preferably having an insulating lining 104, constituting a plurality of chambers 98 Within the cylindrical casting part of the core and having a communicating passage 106. Located within the chambers 98 are a plurality of heating elements 99a, 99b, 99c, 99d, 99e, 99 999 and 99h, controlled by a manual switch similar to that employed to controlling the elements 700:, etc.

The cooperating cooling means similar to that for the cover 5 comprise means for sweeping air through the chambers 98. As shown, there is an air supply pipe 108 opening into the top chamber 106, and an air outlet 10'? at the opposite or bottom end of the chambers. The pipe 108 has a valve 109 which may be manually opened when the chamber becomes too hot through rapid casting.

Means are provided for preliminarily heating the back and the cover member over their entire area to bring them to proper casting temperature, and for thereafter heating the side edges only of the back and cover members so as to maintain uniform the temperature of the entire casting chamber. As embodied, means are provided for alternatively energizing all of the heating elements, or only those heating elements at the side edges of the back and cover members, and a manually operable switch is provided in circuit with these heating members for this purpose.

Figure 4 of the drawings diagrammatically illustrates the circuit connections for the various heating elements, and as there shown heating elements a, and 707', connected in parallel with respect to each other, are connected in series with a contact 120, while the heating elements 70b to 701' are connected in parallel with each other and in series with contact 121. Contact arm 122 may be manually moved to contact with either or both of contacts 120 and 121 and thereby supply only heating units 70a and 707', or all of the heating units with electrical energy from the mains 123.

Similar means are provided for controlling the supply of energy to the heating unit 99, and for this purpose a switching contact arm 124 is adapted to be contacted with either or both contacts 125 and 126. Contact 125 is connected in series with the parallelly connected heating units 990. and 99h, while contact 126 is similarly connected with the heating elements 990 to 99g. With the contact arm in the position shown in Figure 4, heating elements 99a and 99h are only supplied with electrical energy from the mains 123, while by moving the contact arm 124 into contact with both contacts 125 and 126, all of the heating elements 99 may be energized.

While in the preferred embodiment, only the heating elements at the extreme edges of the casting chamber members are used for maintaining the temperature of the members uniform during normal casting, the size, proportion and shape of the various parts may, in certain cases, require the heating of two or more of the heating elements at the side edges of the back and cover members.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:-

1. In a stereotype casting machine, the combination of a casting chamber formed between back and cover members, a plurality of heating units parallel to each other and mounted in heatconducting relation with said members and means for energizing all of said units or only those units at the side edges of the members.

2. In a stereotype casting machine, the combination of a casting chamber formed between back and cover members; means for heating" the side edges only of said back and cover members and for preliminarily heating all of said members including a plurality of electrical heating units parallel to each other and mounted in heat conducting relation with said members, and manually operable switching means for energizing all of said units or only those units adjacent to the side edges of said members.

3. In a stereotype casting machine for easting curved plates, the combination of curved back and cover members, a plurality of axially extending heating units in heat-conducting relation to said members and means for energizing all of said units or only those units adjacent to the side edges of said members.

4. ma stereotype casting machine, the combination of a casting chamber formed between back and cover members, means for heating the side edges only of said back and cover members and means for pneumatically retaining a matrix within said back member.

5. In a stereotype casting machine, the combination of a casting chamber formed between back and cover members, a plurality of heating units parallel to each other and mounted in heat-conducting relation with said members, means for energizing all of said units or only those units at the side edges of the members and means for pneumatically retaining a matrix within said back member.

6. In a stereotype casting machine, the combination of a casting chamber formed between back and cover members, means for heating the side edges only of said back and cover members and for preliminarily heating all of said members including a plurality of electrical heating units parallel to each other and mounted in heat conducting relation with said members, manually operable switching means for energizing all of said units or only those units adjacent to the side edges of said members and means for pneumatically retaining a matrix within said back member.

'7. In a stereotype casting machine, the com- 120 bination of a casting chamber formed between back and cover members, means for heating the side edges only of said back and cover members and for preliminarily heating all of said members including a plurality of electrical heat- 125 ing units parallel to each other and mounted in heat conducting relation with said members, manually operable switching means for energizing all of said units or only those units adjacent to the side edges of said members, means for 130 pneumatically retaining a matrix within said casting chamber and against the back and means for automatically operating said pneumatic means when the back is in casting position.

8. In a stereotype casting machine for casting 135 curved plates, the combination of a casting chamber formed between curved back and cover members, means for heating the side edges only of said back and cover members, means for pneumatically retaining a matrix within said casting 140 chamber and against the back and means for automatically operating said pneumatic means when the back is in casting position.

9. In a stereotype casting machine, the combination of a casting chamber formed between 145 back and cover members, means for heating the side edges only of said back and cover members and for preliminarily heating all of said members including a plurality of electrical heating units parallel to each other and mounted in heat con- 5 ducting relation with said members, manually operable switching means for energizing all of said units or only those units adjacent to the side edges of said members and pneumatic cooling means for said back and cover members.

10. Inastereotype casting machine, the combination of a casting chamber formed betweenback and cover members, means for heating the side edges only of said back and cover members, means for pneumatically retaining a matrix within said back member andpneumatic cooling means for'said' back and cover members.

11. In a stereotype casting machine, the combination of a casting chamber formed between back and cover members, a plurality of heating units parallel to each other and mounted in heat-conducting relation with said members, means for energizing all of said units or only those units at the side edges of the members, means for pneumatically retaining a matrix within said back member and pneumatic cooling means for said back and cover members.

12. In a stereotype casting machine for casting curved plates, the combination of a casting chamber formed between curved back and cover members, means for heating the side edges only of said back and cover members, means for pneumatically retaining a matrix within said casting chamber and against the back, means for automatically operating said pneumatic means when the back is in casting position and pneumatic cooling means for said back and cover members.

13. In a stereotype casting machine for casting plates, the combination of back and cover members, means for substantially uniformly heating said members including independently operable means for heating the side edges only of said members, and a unitary control device for effecting the operation of the entire heating means, or the operation of only the heating means for the side edges.-

14-. Ina stereotype casting machine for casting curved plates, the combination of curved back and cover members, means for substantially uniformly' heating said members including independently operable means extending for substantially the full length of said members, for uniformly heating the side edges only of said members and a unitary control device for efiecting the operation of the entire heating means, or the operation of only the heating means for the side edges.

15. In a stereotype casting machine for casting curved plates, the combination of curved back and cover members and means for substantially uniformly heating said members including narrow heating units on said cover member sumciently close to the extreme side edges of the plate to be cast and independently operable to maintain uniform the temperature of said cover member over the area of said chamber during normal casting.

16. In a stereotype casting machine for casting curved plates, the combination of curved back and cover members and means for substantially uniformly heating said members including narrow, axially-extending electrical heating means on said members positioned sufficiently close to the extreme side edges of the plate to be cast and independently operable to maintain uniform the temperature of said chamber during normal casting.

ERNEST JAMES SMITH. 

